Android apps accessing the phones core...

[mozes316]

This is my first forum, love the site, very informative! I was just wondering, since Android is using the whole "Apps without boarders" approach as apposed to Apples dictatorship, allowing apps to have access to the phones core and other apps. Wouldn't this be cause for potential corruption to the phone? Such as viruses, spyware and identity theft, ect... ?

 

[mcapozzi]

Yes and No.

Keeping the OS open allows for communal development and scrutiny. Some people take advantage of vulnerabilities to do things like root (jailbreak) the device, and write malware (iphone has its fair share too, if your jailbroken). The open development model allows for the type of collaboration that allows us to have the most feature rich mobile platform (true multi-tasking, support for a variety of different hardware platforms, lowest cost).

Honestly, both platforms are "safe" if you only put apps you trust on the device. Stay away from warez and procure software form trusted sources (Android Market, iTunes).

Your Facebook account has a better chance of compromising your identity than your phone.

-Mike

 

[mozes316]

I see. Thanks

 

[grainysand]

Actually, the iPhone has plenty of security loopholes one can exploit. Yes, even on a device that hasn't been jailbroken. In fact, because the iPhone is so popular, there's a plethora of viruses/malware targeted at it, whereas Android is a younger platform and commands a smaller market share: same deal with Windows and OS X--Mactards think their platform is secure only because there's less malware targeted at them, and more at Windows which is used by real people rather than pretentious hippies. Then again, Apple's precious Safari (yes, the iPhone version too) has been hacked and hacked and broken in like five minutes. Google's browser, Chrome? The only browser that survived Pwn2Own 2010: draw your own conclusions.

With Android, when you install an app, you'll be told what permissions it requires. Read those, and if you see anything that requests what you think it shouldn't, don't install. Simples.

(Even apps that require root will request a #su permission so you can manually choose to let, or not let, it access your system files. It's pretty hard for an app to do anything without your consent.)

 

[mozes316]

Actually, the iPhone has plenty of security loopholes one can exploit. Yes, even on a device that hasn't been jailbroken. In fact, because the iPhone is so popular, there's a plethora of viruses/malware targeted at it, whereas Android is a younger platform and commands a smaller market share: same deal with Windows and OS X--Mactards think their platform is secure only because there's less malware targeted at them, and more at Windows which is used by real people rather than pretentious hippies. Then again, Apple's precious Safari (yes, the iPhone version too) has been hacked and hacked and broken in like five minutes. Google's browser, Chrome? The only browser that survived Pwn2Own 2010: draw your own conclusions.

With Android, when you install an app, you'll be told what permissions it requires. Read those, and if you see anything that requests what you think it shouldn't, don't install. Simples.

(Even apps that require root will request a #su permission so you can manually choose to let, or not let, it access your system files. It's pretty hard for an app to do anything without your consent.)

Whats an #su permission?

 

[grainysand]

Superuser permission, Linux-style.

 

[mozes316]

I see, thanks for your input.